The Purple tang is a vivid deep-purple Zebrasoma from the Red Sea, contrasted by a bright yellow tail and faint darker speckling on the face. It is one of the most sought-after and valuable tangs, hardy when established but notably feisty toward other tangs. Its intense color and reef-safe grazing make it a prized centerpiece.
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Up to 25 cm (10 in); commonly 18-20 cm in aquaria.
Lifespan
10–20 years
Social needs
solo
Native region
Red Sea and western Indian Ocean
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
🌊 Marine
Family
Acanthuridae
Genus
Zebrasoma
Part of the Tangs
Tangs and surgeonfish are active, algae-grazing reef fish prized for bold color and constant motion. Most need large tanks with open swimming room, good flow, and a steady supply of marine algae to graze.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Long mature reef
100 gal / 380 L reef (≥5 ft)
Zebrasoma xanthurum reaches 25 cm and needs continuous open swim length. 5-ft+ entry; aggressive with other yellow/purple tangs.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Larger mature reef
150 gal / 570 L+ reef
6-ft+ reef with strong cross-flow, oversized skimmer, and constant nori. Single Zebrasoma — pair only in 240+ gal with both added simultaneously.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Large mixed reef
240 gal+ / 900 L+ display
Very large reef with abundant grazing surface and stable params. Full electric purple-yellow display and natural swimming range emerges.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Fish eggs are small, translucent spheres, often laid in clutches on plants, substrate, or in a nest — or carried/brooded by a parent in livebearing and mouth-brooding species. A dark eye spot and the curled embryo become visible inside as development progresses.
Photo coming soon
Fry
Newly hatched fry are tiny and semi-transparent, frequently still carrying a yolk sac that fuels them before they feed freely. They lack full fin structure and adult coloration, staying near cover until they can swim and forage on their own.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles look like miniature adults but with developing fins and muted or different markings; many species shift pattern and color as they mature. Growth is rapid at this stage given clean water and steady feeding.
Adult
Adults show the species' full size, finnage, and mature coloration, and are sexually mature. Many fish develop sex-specific differences in size, color, or fin shape, which can intensify during breeding.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide at least 380 L (100 gal) with a length of around 1.5 m (5 ft) of open swimming space and plenty of live rock. Keep temperature 24-27 C (75-81 F) (it tolerates the warmer, saltier Red Sea conditions well), pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.023-1.026, and alkalinity 8-12 dKH, with low nitrate. Moderate to strong flow and bright reef lighting promote grazing algae.
Substrate
Aragonite sand with abundant live rock provides grazing surfaces and shelter while leaving an open swimming lane for this active fish.
Equipment & setup
Run strong biological filtration, an oversized protein skimmer, and circulation pumps for moderate-to-strong flow. A reliable heater and reef-grade lighting complete the setup.
Diet
Primarily herbivorous; offer dried marine algae (nori) daily plus herbivore/spirulina pellets and frozen preparations, with occasional meaty supplements. Steady grazing material maintains color, weight, and reduces aggression and HLLE risk.
Behavior & temperament
Reef-safe but among the more aggressive Zebrasoma, especially toward other tangs and conspecifics. Keep one per tank unless the system is very large and tangs are introduced together. Add it later than docile fish but before other tangs; its scalpel spine can wound rivals and handlers.
Health
Susceptible to marine ich and velvet, though hardy once settled. HLLE can develop with poor diet or chronic stress. Quarantine new arrivals and maintain stable salinity and temperature.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Drip-acclimate and quarantine for several weeks given tang ich sensitivity. Add it last among non-tang tankmates, and keep nori clipped in the water to satisfy grazing and reduce its well-known territorial aggression.
